Link support



Jan. 5, 1937. c. c. SIDWELL LINK SUPPORT Filed Sept. 4, 19:55 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 JIGCZ [nven for ("heater 6'. Sz'dwell Gum MA;

c. c'. SIDIWELL LINK SUPPORT Jan. 5, 1937.

' Filed Sept. 4, 1955 3 Sheets-Shet 2 fnvenior Chester tiSidwell C. C. SIDWELL Jan. 5, 1937.

LINK SUPPORT Filed Sept. 4, 1935 a Sheets-Sheet s 15222622207" I Chester 6'. Sidwell Patented Jan. 5 1937 PATENT OFFICE LINK SUPPORT Chester 0. Sidwell, Pico, Calif.

Application September 4, 1935, Serial No. 39,135

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a link support for utilization as a hanger for closures, such as windows, doors, gates and other structures designed for horizontal rectilinear movement.

An object of the invention is to provide a hanger of the above character embodying an arrangement of links adapted to permit horizontal rectilinear movement of a structure suspended therefrom in 'a fashion whereby a balance or equalization of thrusts is maintained throughout the length of the path of travel of the structure and whereby the latter will normally remain at rest in any position throughout the length of its path of travel and without the employment "of counter-balances such as weights and springs.

A further object is to provide a construction and arrangement in a device of the above character constituting an impovement' in the construction" in the mounting for windows, doors and the like set forthin United States Patent Number 2,013,719, bearing issue date of September 10, 1935, in that the employment of intermeshing toothed segments as employed in such patented construction may be dispensed with.

Another object is to provide a link hanger which may be employed either to support a single structure or a plurality of structures, such as gates, doors, windows, and other closures and which is adapted to be arranged when employed as a mounting for double'closures to effect movement of the closures either in overlapping parallel relation or toward and away from each other on a common plane.

With the foregoing objects in view together with such additional objects and features as may subsequently appear, the invention is carried into efiect by the provision of the parts, and of the combination, construction and arrangement of parts set forth in the following detailed description and depicted in the accompanying drawings showing several embodiments of the invention, by way ofexample, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the link support showing it I as adaptedto serve as ahanger for a single struc- "ture such as a closure and depicting it in its closed or folded position:

Fig. 2 is a view of the device shown in Fig. 1 in'its open or extended position:

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1:

'Fig. 1' is a view of the hanger as applied and arranged toafiord a structure for a double closure where a pair of closures are designed to be gmoved toward and away from each other on a common plane and showing the closure in the open position:

Fig. 5 is'a view in elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 4 with the closures disposed in their closed position:

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation showing the invention as applied to a hanger for a pair of closures arranged to be moved in parallel overlying relation to each other and showing the closures in their closed position:

Fig. '7 is a view of the structure shown in Fig. 6 with the closures arranged in their open position:

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings more specifically A indicates generally a horizontally extending supporting member which may be of any suitable construction and which is designed to be disposed in an elevated position and carried on any suitable supporting structure as occasion may require and not necessary to be here shown.

Pivotally mounted on the supporting member A and spaced longitudinally thereon is a pair of upwardly extending links l0 and II secured to the supporting member A by pivots l2 and Hi to rock to and from a vertically extended position; the links 10 and II being pivotally connected at their upper ends to a horizontal tie bar M by pivots l5 and IE to move collectively. The distance between the pivots l2 and 13 corresponds to the distance between the pivots I5 and I6 and likewise the distance between the pivots corresponds to the distance between the pivots l3 and I6 whereby on rocking the links H] and II they will'be maintained in parallel relation to each other in any position they may assume and whereby the tie bar M will be maintained horizontal and parallel with the plane of the pivots I2 and I3.

A pair of links I! and I8 are connected at their upper ends by pivots l9 and 20' to the links In and H adjacent to but spaced from the upper or outer ends thereof but with the'axes of the pivots l9 and 20 spaced equi-distant between the pivots l2 and I5 and I3 and I6 respectively, and with the axis of the pivot l9 disposed on a plane extending through the plane of the axis of the pivots l2 and I5 and with the axis of the pivot 20 disposed on a plane extending through the axis of the pivots l3 and IS. The links I! and I8 extend downwardly from their pivots I9 and 20 and are designed when the links Ill and II are extended vertically to be disposed parallel therewith, as particularly shown in Fig. l.

' the pivots I9 and 20 and at a point .on aplane The lower ends of the links 1 and l8 are connected by pivots 2| and 22 to a horizontal tie B which may comprise a beam or other structure designed to be suspended from the link structure. The distance between the axes of the pivots 2| and 22 correspond to the distance between the axes of the pivots l2 and I3, and the distance between the pivots IQ and 20 and the pivots 23 and 22 correspond to the distance between the pivots l9 and I2, and 20 and I3, respectively so that on swinging movement of the links I! and I8 the supported tie B will be maintained parallel with the horizontal.

Depending from the tie bar 4 is a hanger point on the latter spaced a distance from the axes of pivot l9 corresponding to the distance between the pivots l9 and I5. The axes of the pivot 24 is disposed on a plane below the axes of extending mid-way between the axes of the pivots l5 and I6. While the link 25 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as connecting with the link II, it manifestly may be connected to the link I8 in a similar fashion, as shown in Fig. 4.

In the operationof the form of theinvention just described, assuming the parts to be disposed in the position shown in Fig. 1, a longitudinal pull on the supported member on tie B in a direction opposite the direction of projection of the link 25 from the hanger 23, the links l1 and I8 will swing on their pivots I9 and 20 in corresponding directions and at the same time a longitudinal thrust will be imposed on the link 25 andtransmitted through the hanger 23 to the tie bar M to effect longitudinal movement of the latter which movement efiects swinging of the links H) and H in parallel relation to each other in a direction of incline opposite that of the links I! and I8.

By arranging the several links and spacing the pivotal connection as shown and described, longitudinal movement of the supported member B will be rectilineal. In this fashion the parts will move from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, or to any intermediate position, and in whatever position the parts may assume a balance or equalization of thrusts will be established whereby the suspended member B will be maintained in any position it may assume without any tendency to move from such position in either direction. f

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a pair of the link support assemblies C and D correspondingto the construction shown in Figs. 1

and 2 are employed being spaced apart on a supporting element A and being arranged so that swinging movement of one of the supporting members in one direction will effect corresponding movement of the other link support and in opposite direction whereby suspended members B carried thereby will move toward and away from each other on a corresponding plane. For this purpose the thrust link 25 in the assembly C connects with the link I and in the assembly D is connected to the link l8.

Interposed between the pair oflink support assemblies C and D is a rocker bar 21 pivoted intermediate its ends on a pivot 28 and connecting by pivots 29and 30 to the ends of links 3| and 32 pivotally connected at their outer ends by pivots 33 and 34 to the links H and I respectively of the pair of link support assemblies. The pivots 29 and 30 are spaced equi distant from the axes 28 and the pivots 29 and 33 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance between the pivots 30 and 34, while the pivots 33 and I3 are spaced at distance corresponding to the distance between the pivots 34 and I2.

In the operation of the structure shown in Figs. 4 and movement of either of the supported members B toward and away from its companion supported member will act through the link assem-' bly C or D supporting same, to effect vertical swinging movement of the" links l0, and |of the.

nal movement of the other link 3| or 32 which will swing the link I0 and H of the other link assembly C or D, and thereby cause longitudinal movement of the other supported member Bin a direction opposite that of the supported member B to which movement was initially imparted.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 6, 7 andy8' pairs of upwardly extending links 40 and are pivotally mounted, between apair of supporting:

members E and F inlongitudinally spaced relation thereon, being. secured to the supporting member by pivots 42 and 43to, rock to and from a vertical position. The links and are piv-i otally connected at their upper, ends to a horizontal tie bar by pivots45 and 43 A pair of links 4,! and 48 are connected attheirupper ends by pivots 49 and 50 to the links 40, and 4| adjacent to but spaced from the upper orouterends thereof. The lower endsof thezlinks4land'43 are connected by pivots 5| and 52 too. horizontal" tie G constituting a portion o ra closure or other structure suspended from the link structure.

Depending from the tiebar 441$ a hanger -53 connected by a pivot 54 to a thrust link 55. which is connected atits outer. end by pivot 53 to the link 41.

The structure just described emerged time.

fashion previously described .withl'reference to 7 Figs. 1 and 2; the elements beingthe same and operating in a correspondingimanner. However in this instance added elements arefl'provided so that a single link assembly may be utilized to afford a support fora secondclosure to move parallel with that of the tie Gin overlying relation thereto witha diiierential'speedQ To ac-1 complish this a pair of linksfifl and 6| i are con nected by pivots B2 and 63 to the links 40 and 4| to depend from the latter-andbeing here shown as connected to the links", anana. 4| respectively intermediate the pivots 42 and 49,and 43 and 50. The lower ends ofv thelinks and-6| are connected by pivots 64 and 65 to a tieZI-I forming part of the second closure" supported by the link assembly. Projecting upwardly from the tie H is a standard 66 which is connected at its upper.

end by pivots 61 to a thrust link 63 the outer end In the operation in tne-fbrm or the-inve ti n just described, assuming the parts to be disposed in the position shown in Fig. 6, on moving the supported member or-' tie Gto the'lettthe links 41 and 48 will advance andimpose'anupward '7. During movementof the links fllfland 4| the links 60, 68 xecuted renametea-g of which is connected at thef pivots-5.9 o m te on a path of travel parallel with the tie G but at.

a slower rate of movement than that of the latter.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that by reason of the provision of the drag link 25 or 55 affording a connection between the tie M or 44 with the short links I! or I 8, or 41, downward pull on the links I0 and II or 40 and 4| when the latter are inclined from the vertical tending to cause the links to move to a horizontal position is neutralized by thrust directed through the tie M or 44 and the thrust link such as to counteract the load on the links Ill and H or 40 and 4|, thereby accomplishing a balance whereby the supported structure will remain at rest at any position in the limit of the path of travel permitted by the link assembly. This balance is effected throughout the length of travel of the supported structure and accordingly the amount of work required to move the structure in either direction within its limit of travel will be the same and there will be no tendency for the supported structure to run free under momentum thus reducing to a minimum any possibility of the supported structure slamming against any stop that may be provided therefor after it has been freed from shifting pressure imposed thereon.

By thus mounting the supported structure its movement will be silent and will be characterized by a gliding motion and which movement may be efiected without the aid of any track or guide other than the guiding action aiiorded by the link assemblage.

Manife'stly the supported structure may be of any suitable construction and may comprise a gate, door or window of any desired fabrication, and obviously may embrace anything designed to be suspended and shifted on a rectilinear horizontal path of travel.

I claim:

1. In a link support, a supporting member, a pair of upwardly extending links pivoted on said supporting member, a tie bar connecting the upper ends of said links, a pair of downwardly extending links carried on said pair of upwardly extending links and leading therefrom below said tie-bar, a tie connecting the lower ends of said downwardly extending links adapted to carry a structure to be movably supported, and a link connection between said tie bar and one of said downwardly extending links for equalizing thrusts imposed on said links by the load of the supported structure.

2. In a link support, a supporting member, a pair of upwardly extending links pivoted on said supporting member, a tie bar connecting the upper ends of said links, a pair of downwardly extending links carried on said pair of upwardly extending links and leading therefrom below said tie-bar, a tie connecting the lower ends of said downwardly extending links adapted to carry a structure to be movably supported, a depending bracket on said tie bar and a thrust link extending between said bracket and one of said downwardly extending links.

3. In a link support, a supporting member, a

pair of upwardly extending links pivoted on said supporting member, a tie bar' connecting the upper ends of said links, a pair of downwardly extending links carried on said pair of upwardly extending links, a tie connecting the lower ends of said downwardly extending links adapted to carry a structure to be movably supported, a depending bracket on said tie bar and a thrust link extending between said bracket and one of said downwardly extending links, a second pair of downwardly extending links on said upwardly extening links, a tie bar connected to said second pair of links adapted to carry a structure to be moved horizontally, an upwardly extending bracket on said second tie bar, and a thrust link extending between said extension and one of said upwardly extending links.

4. In a link support, a supporting member, a pair of link assemblies each of which embodies a pair of upwardly extending links pivoted on said supporting member, a tie bar connecting the upper ends of said pair of links, a pair of downwardly extending links carried on said upwardly extending links, a tie connecting the lower ends of said downwardly extending links adapted to carry a structure to be movably supported; a rocker bar interposed between said pair of link assemblies, and links connecting the ends of said rocker bar to one of the upwardly extending links of each pair of links.

5. In a support of the character described, a pair of upwardly extending links, means pivotally supporting said links at their lower ends, a tie bar interconnecting the upper ends of said links maintaining said links in uniformly spaced parallel relation to each other, a depending link pivotally connected to the upper portion of each of said upwardly extending links, a tie connecting the lower ends of said depending links maintaining the latter in spaced parallel relation to each other and afiording a means of connection to said depending links of a structure to be supported in a suspended position thereby, a downward extension in said tie bar, and a thrust link pivoted on said extension on a plane mediate the pivotal connection of said tie bar with said upwardly extending links, said tie bar having its other end pivotally connected to one of said depending links intermediate the ends thereof.

CHESTER C. SIDWELL. 

